Molded plastic containers with concealed integral hinge



June 21, 1966 v. J. ESPOSITO, JR

MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH CONCEALED INTEGRAL HINGE Filed NOV. 15,1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. W/vc E/W' J BPas/m fie.

June 21, 1966 V. J. ESPOSITO, JR

MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH GONCEALED INTEGRAL HINGE Filed NOV. 15,1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [III V 124 l M2 20 /wz 30c E. F

INVENTOR V/A/CEA/r JBPas/w JZQ BY June 21, 1966 v, J, sposrro, JR3,256,892

MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH GONCEALED INTEGRAL HINGE Filed Nov. 15,1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MM fin fim mm MLT MLI United States Patent3,256,892 MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH CON- CEALEI) INTEGRAL HINGEVincent J. Esposito, Jr., 31 Jackson Ave., Wayne, NJ. Filed Nov. 15,1962, Ser. No. 237,823 11 Claims. (Cl. 132-83) This invention rel-atesto the manufacture of molded plastic articles and more particularly isdirected to molded plastic cases having folding plastic hinges and amethod of manufacture.

Among the objects of the invention is to general-1y improve moldedplastic containers having top and bottom casing halves connected by arelatively thin flexible folding hinge and the method of manufacturethereof, which method shall eliminate and correct differential shrinkageand warpage of the casing halves in molding, which containerconstruction shall include an intermediate element integrally connectedby a folding hinge to one container casing half and formed for snap-inengagement with a second casing half and thereby be adaptable to a widevariety of applications ranging from those requiring a relativelyshallow casing, such as picture frames, to those requiring relativelygreater depth to serve as boxes of various kinds including ladyscosmetic powder cases, cigarette cases, vanity dusting powder boxes,tissue boxes, absorbent cotton dispensers and the like, whichintermediate element shall permit its adaptation to functions inaddition to that of properly locating the integral hinge to bring thetwo casing halves in proper hinged alignment, namely, as a bezel ringfor retaining a mirror in the cover of a ladys compact, an elementformed to carry a plurality of keys in a key case, a support andretaining means for a locked-in liner forming a sealed compartment in avanity dusting powder box and means for providing additionalcompartments in a wallet, which folding hinge shall be neat inappearance and substantially hidden from view when the container isclosed, which method and container construction shall be adaptable tolow cost quantity production eliminating all hardware and separableparts requiring costly assembly and labor, which container constructionshall have an overall attractive appearance, be foolproof in operationand rugged to withstand rough usage and which shall be practical andefiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out. The'invention accordingly consists of featuresof construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts andsteps of' method of manufacture which will be exemplified in theconstructions and method hereinafter described, the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims following:

In the accompanying drawings in which possible illustrative embodimentsof the invention are shown:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a molded piece in the manufacture of acontainer embodying the invention shown in a spread flat condition ofmolding, the casing half on the right forming the top cover of thecontainer being shown with its top exterior surface facing upward andintegrally connected to an intermediate member in the form of a bezelring, the casing half on the left forming a bottom container portionbeing shown with its interior side facing upward and integrallyconnected -through a hidden hinge element to the bezel ring, the

sprue and runners being shown in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the molded piece shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the molded piece shown in FIG. 1, but turnedupside down.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through a mold showing the piecebeing molded substantially as seen in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken substantially on lines 5-5,66 and 7-7, respectively, in

FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the molded piece shown in FIG. 1, showing themanner of assemblying the mirror in the container cover to be retainedby the bezel ring to form a ladys compact.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the compact fully assembled with the cover inopen position.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the compact fully assembled I takensubstantially along line 1313 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1414 inFIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention suitablefor use as a dressing table powder box in which the intermediate bezelring is enlarged to form a support for a preformed liner cooperatingwith the bottom container portion to provide a closed receptacle forface or bath powder, the top and bottom casing halves and theintermediate ring bearing the liner being shown spread flat in themanner similar to FIG. 2, the bottom casing half and the intermediatebezel ring having an exterior interlocking means.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the assembled powder box shown in FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of another modified form of the inventionsimilar to that shown in FIG. 15, but in which the bottom casing halfand the intermediate bezel ring has an interior interlocking means, and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the assembled powder box shown in FIG.17.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 20 denotes a molded piece embodyingthe invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in the spread flat condition ofremoval from injection molding equipment after manufacture in accordancewith the improved method hereinafter described. Piece 20, molded of anelastomeric plastic resin, such as, polypropylene, linear polyethyleneor the like material having tough foldable tear resistant propertiessatisfying the requirements for an integral hinge, is seen to comprise afirst casing half or cover 21 integrally connected by a relatively thinfoldable link 22 to intermediate bezel ring 23 and a second casing halfor bottom container portion 24 integrally connected by a relatively thinfolding hinge 25 to bezel ring 23 at a position opposite link 22. Cover21 has a top wall 21a and a peripheral side wall 21b terminating in arim edge having an exterior flange 21c upstanding from an interiorshoulder 21d. Likewise, bottom container portion 24 has a bottom wall24a and a peripheral side wall 24b terminating in a rim edge having aninterior flange 24c upstanding from an exterior shoulder 24d, flange 24cand shoulder 24d being sized to engage shoulder 21d and flange 210,respectively, of cover 21 providing a closure joint between bottomcasing half 24 and cover 21 when in assembly as compact as shown in FIG.13. Side wall 21b is also formed with a pair of recesses 21g and 21hlocated in alignment with foldable link 22 and folding hinge 25,recesses 21g and 21h extending below shoulder 21d dividing the latterand flange 210 into two sections.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a folding hidden hingebetween two casing halves, namely, the cover and container portion, of acase. This is generally accomplished vby utilizing an intermediateattachment member integrally molded with the folding hinge and one ofthe casing halves, the intermediate member being suitably attached tothe other casing half to position the hinge in a substantially concealedmanner for proper hinged coaction between the casing halves. To thisend, folding hinge 25 may be wedge shaped having the base, that is, thethick end of the wedge, integral with bezel ring 23, the thin end orapex of the wedge forming the fold line or bight 25a of the hinge beinglocated in close proximity to side wall 24b of bottom container portion24 and joining a ledge 246 which extends across shoulder 24d. As isclear from FIGS. 1 and 2, folding hinge 25 has a relatively flat surface25b which, when bezel ring 23'and container portion 24 are in side byside spread flat relation, extends in a plane common to the outer edgeof bezel ring 23 and the upper surfaces of ledge 24c and flange 24c.

Attachment between bezel ring 23 and cover 21 in the assembly of compact120 may be accomplished by a tongue and groove arrangement, shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 13 as a pair of arcuate tongues 23a extendingradially from bezel ring 23 to engage registering undercut grooves 21eformed on the interior of cover side wall 21b and a short tongue 23baligned beneath folding hinge 25 to engage short undercut groove 21Bezel ring 23 when assembled in cover 21 seats the wedge shaped portionof folding hinge 25 in recess 2171, which is beveled inwardly'to conformto the wedge shape bringing surface 25b substantially into the plane ofshoulder 21d. This arrangement permits the hinge to be substantiallyconcealed in close proximity to abutting side Walls 21]) and 24b of theclosed compact 120 as will be clear from FIGS. 11 and 14.

Foldable link 22 is positioned to extend from bezel ring 23diametrically opposite folding hinge 25 and is seen to comprise twooppositely extending wedge shaped bosses 22a and 22b having their apexregions joining to form a fold line or bight 22c. Boss 22a has its baseintegral with bezel ring 23 and a surface 22d lying in the plane commonto the outer edge of bezel ring 23 and surface 25b of folding hinge 25.The other boss 22b has its base, which may be thicker than that of boss22a, integral with side wall 21b of cover 21. Foldable link 22, whenbezel ring 23 is in assembly with cover 21 as compact 120, may be formedto provide one element of a closure fastening means, namely, a lip 22e,integrally formed with boss 22a adjacent bight 220 to extendsubstantially at right angles to the plane of surface 22d. Side wall2112 has a recess 21g aligned with boss 22b and extending below shoulder21d, recess 21g being beveled inwardly from the surface of boss 22b toaccommodate boss 22a when link 22 is in folded position with bezel ring23 seated in cover 21.

A companion element of the closure fastening means of compact 120 may beprovided on the exterior of side wall 24b of bottom container portion 24as a pair of ledges 24f spaced to receive lip 22e therebetween. Toeffect a retentive engagement, opposite edges 22 of lip 22e may beslightly divergent in a downward direction engaging similarly divergentopposite facing ends 24g of ledges 24 as shown in FIG. 12. Rounding ofthe corners of ends 24g facilitate snap-in and snap-out engagement ofthe parts.

The improved method embodying the invention'contemplates the use ofinjection molding equipment shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 as fixed platenM1 and movable platen M2 which may have one or more cavities for moldingpiece 20 as an integral unit in spread flat con-' dition. The plastic isinjected through a centrally located sprue 20a having a pair of runners20b extending perpendicular thereto and terminating in gates 20c whichconduct the molten plastic material symmetrically into opposite sides ofbezel ring cavity 123. The latter in turn serves as a runner forconducting the molten plastic in opposite directions through link gate122 into cover cavity 121 and through hinge gate 125 into bottomcontainer portion cavity 124. In this manner the molten plastic is seento radiate outwardly from bezel ring cavity 123 and simultaneously fillcover cavity 121 and bottom container portion cavity 124. This providesa balanced flow and pressure condition of the molten plastic eliminatingcold welding within a section of the piece and reducing to a minimum anydifferential in shrinkage and warpage between the cover and bottomcasing sections for a superior molded product.

The assembly of compact will now be apparent. After piece 20, molded toprovide the elements shown in the drawing and hereinbefore described, isremoved from the mold and trimmed of the sprue and runners, mirror 26,sized and shaped to snugly fit into cover 21, is placed with its backagainst the interior surface of top wall 21a and bezel ring 23 isfolded, as shown in FIG. 8, along fold line 220 of link 22 to registerwith cover 21. Bezel ring 23, upon application of pressure, will readilysnap into locked position in cover 21 with tongues 23a and short tongue23b of bezel ring 23 engaging grooves 21e and short groove 21],respectively. The folding of link 22 along fold line 22c seats boss 22ain recess 21g and aligns lip 222 with boss 22b as an extension beyondflange 210, as seen in FIGS. 9, 10, l1 and 14. As bezel ring 23 issnapped into place, the wedge shaped portion of folding hinge 25 seatsin recess 21h and locates fold line 25a in a substantially concealedposition between side walls 21b and 24b as is clear from FIG. 14.

Compact 120 is now ready to receive :a packet of face powder or othercosmetic preparation (not shown) in bottom container portion 24 in thewell understood manner. Although any suitable snap locking means may beutilized to retain cover 21 in closed position, as shown in FIGS. 10 and12, such locking is effected by engagement of lip 22e between spacedledges 247. This may readily be accomplished by closing cover 21 andholding compact 120 between thumb and forefinger, exerting a slightpressure to snap lip 22e into engagement between ledges 24f. To opencompact 120 the finger is placed beneath lip 222 and a slight upwardforce will disengage lip 22e.

Two modifications of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18 asdressing table powder boxes in which the bezel ring is modified toretain a preformed liner and the casing half corresponding to the coverin compact 1 20 is deepened to be utilized as a bottom container portionwhile the other casing half is made relatively shallow to serve as 'acover for the box.

Molded piece 30 of modified construction isshown in FIG. 15 in spreadflat condition to comprise a first casing half or bottom containerportion 31 connected by a relatively thin foldable link 32 tointermediate ring 33 and a second casing half or cover 34 integrallyconnected by a relatively thin folding hinge 35 to ring 33. Bottomcontainer portion 31 has a bottom wall 3 1a and a side wall 311)terminating in a rim edge having a peripheral bead 31c. Cover 34 has atop wall 34a and a side wall 34b terminating in a rim edge having anexterior flange 34c upstanding from an interior shoulder 34d.Intermediate ring 33, relatively larger than bezel ring 23 of moldedpiece 20 and shaped to perform a different but analogous function,telescopes into bottom container portion 31 and has a large peripheralledge 33a formed with an undercut groove 33b on the underside thereofsnapping over and interlocking with bead 31c. The upper side of ledge33a is provided with an upstanding flange 33c providing an exteriorshoulder 33d, flange 33c and shoulder 33d being sized to engage shoulder34d and flange 340, respectively, of cover 34 as a closure joint forpowder as shown in FIG. 16. Folding hinge 35 integrally connects theedge of exterior flange 34c of cover 34 to the edge of exterior shoulder33d of peripheral ledge 33a and has a suitable fold line similar to foldline 25a of hinge 25 to provide hinging of the parts. Likewise, foldablelink 32 which connects bead 310 of bottom container portion 31 toperipheral ledge 33a of ring 33 has a suit-able fold line similar tofold line 220 of link 22, a recess 332 is provided in the underside ofledge 33a communicating with groove 33b to receive link 3-2 when thelatter is folded over for telescoping interengagement of ring 33 withbottom container portion 31.

Intermediate ring 33 supports a liner 36 seen in FIG. 15 as dish-shapedto provide a bottom wall 36a, a side wall tioned to provide a powderpuff space 40b.

36b and a peripheral flange 36c extending radially from the upper edgeof side wall 36b. Liner 36 may be formed of paper, relatively thinplastic or metal -foil and is sized and shaped to snugly fit into ring33 with flange 36c extending over free edge 33 In use, intermediate ring3-3, fitted with liner 36 is held in the position shown in FIG. 15 sothat the bottom wall of liner 36a forms a compartment 30a which maybefilled with bath or dusting powder (not shown). Bottom container portion31 is then folded over at link 32 and snapped into engagement withintermediate ring 33, the latter being properly sized so that edge 33retains flange 360 of liner 36 against bottom wall31a. This completelycloses compartment 30a and when po wder box 130 is inverted as shown inFIG. 16, cover 34 is swingably attached to the bottom container portionof the box by integral hinge 35 and may be secured in closed position bysuitable means, such as lip 34e integrally formed to extend from sidewall 34b at a position diametrically opposite hinge 35 and having anenlarged end 34 which may releasably engage under ledge 33a. When box130 is closed, side wall 34b of cover 34 is proportioned to provide aspace 30b above the inverted liner bottom wall 36a to accommodate apowder pufi. (not shown). The user of powder box 130 filled with dustingpowder opens cover 34 and merely perforates the inverted liner bottomwall 36a in the well understood manner.

Molded piece 40 and powder box 140 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18,respectively, are similar to molded piece 30 and powder box 130 incomprising bottom container portion 41 having bottom wall 410: and sidewall 41b, link 42, intermediate ring 43, hinge 45 and cover 44 havingtop Wall 44a and side wall 44b. Molded piece 40 differs from piece 30 inthat the interlocking means between bottom container portion 41 and ring43 is internal with respect to the bottom container portion instead ofexternal. To this end, side wall 41b of bottom container portion 41terminates in an exterior flange 41c upstanding from an interiorshoulder 41d, flange 41c and shoulder 41d engaging exterior shoulder 44dand interior flange 44c, respectively, of cover 44 providing a closurejoint between bottom container portion 41 and cover 44. Intermediatering 43 is sized to -fit entirely within bottom container portion 41 andhas an annular tongue or .rib 41a on the exterior surface thereof whichon assembly snaps into annular groove 41a formed on the interior surfaceof side wall 41b spaced from shoulder 41d. A suitable recess 41] isprovided in flange 41c and extends below shoulder 41d to accommodatefoldable link 42, the latter being integrally formed to extend from thebottom of recess 41 and having a suitable fold line adjacent side wall41b as will be clear from FIGS. 17 and 18. A second recess 41g,diametrically opposite recess 41] is provided in flange 41c and shoulder41d to seat hinge 45, the latter being integrally formed to extend froma boss provided on shoulder 44d of cover '44 with a suitable fold linepositioned substantially between side wall 41b and 44 when cover 44 isin closed position as seen in FIG. 18. A lip 44:: is integrally formedto extend from side wall 44b and has a notch 44 for releasably engagmg aregistering project-ion 41h formed on the exterior of side wall 41b toserve as a securing means for cover 44 when in closed position.

In forming powder box 140, intermediate ring 43 may also be fitted withlinear 36 which cooperates with bottom container portion 41 to providecompartment 40a in the same manner as liner 36 cooperates with ring 33and The concealed integral hinge embodying the invention contemplates afoldable connection between one casing 'half of a container and anintermediate member which in turn may be integrally connected to asecond casing half of the container as are molded pieces 20, 30 and 40or the second casing half may be molded as a separate piece. It willthus be apparent that the latter alternative permits each casing half tobe made in a different color or of different material and requires theomission of foldable links 22, 32 and 42 and associated structure.

It is to be understood that this invention contemplates furthermodification of molded pieces 20, 30 or 40 to provide a wide variety ofcontainers. For example, the facility with which bezel ring 23 snapsinto and out of cover 21 suggests a picture frame in which the ringretains a picture and transparent protective sheet in one of thecontainer portions. Likewise, modification of the bezel ring to providehook means for attachment of keys or to retain an insert which carriessuch hook means will render a key case of simple and novel construction.Other slight modifications of the construction will result in cigarettecases, tissue or absorbent cotton dispensing containers and the like. Itis also contemplated that closed compartments 30a and 40a may be filledwith any suitable ma terial in accordance with the desired use of therespective containers.

It is thus seen that there is provided improved molded plasticcontainers with concealed integral hinge and a method of manufacturethereof in which the several ob- 'jects of the invention are achievedand which are Well adapted to meet conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made in the above invention andas various changes might be made in the containers and method above setforth it is to be understood that all the matters herein set forth orshown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A molded piece of elastorneric resinous material for assembling intoa hinged container comprising, a first casing half, an intermediatebezel ring, a relatively thin foldable link integrally connecting saidfirst casing half with the intermediate bezel ring, a second casinghalf, and a relatively thin folding hinge integrally connecting saidintermediate bezel ring with said second casing half, said hinge beinglocated on said ring diametrically opposite said link, said ring havingmeans for engaging said first casing half in telescoping position uponfolding of said link, said hinge being located when the ring is in saidtelescoping position to bring the first and second casing halvestogether to form a hinged container having an edge to edge abutmentclosure, said hinge having a pivotal axis located substantially alongsaid edge to edge abutment when the ring is in said telescopingposition. 2. A container comprising first and second casing halves eachhaving a peripheral side wall terminating in a rim edge for bringingtogether in a closure joint when the container is in closed position, anintermediate element secured to the first casing half and beingconnected to the second casing half by an integral folding hinge formingmeans for hingedlyinterconnecting the first and second casing halves,said hinge including a boss projecting from said intermediate element,the rim edge of said first casing half side wall being recessed to seatsaid boss, said hinge having a relatively thin told line between saidboss and the rim edge of said second casing half positionedsubstantially between said peripheral side wall rim edges when thecontainer is in closed position, said intermediate element, secondcasing half and integral hinge being molded of an elast-omeric resinousplastic material.

3. A compact construction comprising a cover and container portion eachhaving a peripheral side wall terminat- 7 ing in a rim edge for bringingtogether in a closure joint when the container is in closed position,hinge means interconnecting said cover and container portion, a mirrorpositioned in said cover, a bezel ring adapted to snap into the cover inengagement with the peripheral wall thereof securing the mirror inposition in the cover, .the rim edge of said cover having a recess, afol-dable link integrally connecting the bezel ring with said cover,said link including a first boss projecting from the peripheral sidewall of the cover in alignment with said recess and a second bossprojecting from said bezel ring joining the first boss along a thin toldline, a lip extending substantially at right angles to said second bossadjacent said told line, said second boss being positioned in saidrecess when the link is folded with said lip extending in alignment withthe first boss and projecting as an element of a releasable catch forthe compact to overlie an exterior surface of the container portionperipheral side wall, and a companion element of said catch integrallyformed with the container portion peripheral side wall to engage saidlip when the cover is closed over the container portion, said cover,foldable link and bezel ring being molded of an elastomeric resinousplastic material.

4. A molded piece of elastomeric resinous material for assembling into ahinged container comprising, a firs-t casing half having a peripheralwall terminating in a free edge, an intermediate bezel ring, arelatively thin t-oldable link integrally connecting said first casinghalf peripheral wall with the intermediate bezel ring, a second casinghalf having a peripheral wall terminating in a free edge and extendingin a direction opposite to said first casing half peripheral wall, and arelatively thin folding hinge integrally connecting said intermediatebezel ring with said second casing half peripheral Wall adjacent saidfree edge, said hinge and link being diametrically opposite each otherand constructed and arranged to told in opposite directions to telescopethe intermediate bezel ring into said first casing half and locate saidhinge to bring the first and second casing halves together in edge toedge abutment relation to form a hinged container.

5. A hinged container comprising a first casing half forming a cover, asecond casing half forming a container portion having a bottom wall, afoldable plastic hinge connecting the cover to the container portion toswing from open to closed position, an intermediate ring having a rimedge, said ring telescopingly engaging said container portion with saidrim edge adjacent said bottom wall, a dish shaped liner seated in saidring having aperipheral flange extending between said rim edge and saidcontainer portion bottom wall, said liner, intermediate ring andcontainer portion bottom wall forming an inner closed chamber, saidtoldable plastic hinge, cover and intermediate ring being integrallyformed of an elastomeric resinous plastic material to effect saidconnection between the cover and container portion.

6; A hinged container comprising first and second casing halves eachhaving a peripheral side wall, an intermediate ring adapted to snap intothe first casing half mengagement with said peripheral side wall thereofand being connected to the second casing half by :an integral foldinghinge, a dish shaped liner seated in said ring having a peripheral[flange extending between said intermediate ring and a bottom wall ofsaid first casing half, said liner, intermediate ring and first casinghalf bottom wall torming an inner closed chamber for said container,said first casing half, fol-dable hinge and intermediate ring beingmolded of ela-stomeric resinous plastic material.

7. The container defined in claim *6 in which said first casing halfperipheral side wall terminates in a bead, said intermediate ring havinga peripheral ledge formed with an undercut groove into which said beadsnaps forming said engagement between-said intermediate ring and thefirst casing half peripheral side wall.

8. The container defined in claim 6 in which said intermediate ring andperipheral side wall engagement includes a tongue and groove snap-ininterconnection located on the interior surface of said side wall andexterior surface of the ring.

9. The container defined in claim 6 in which said first casing half isformed independently of said second casing half and of a material havingan appearance contrasting therewith.

10. A compact construction comprising a first casing half forming acover, a second casing "half forming a container portion, a mirrorpositioned in said cover, a bezel ring attached to said cover andsecuring said mirror in position, a folding hinge integrally formed withsaid bezel ring and container portion of material having elastomericproperties and serving to pivotally interconnect said cover andcontainer portion for closing in an edge to edge abutment relation, saidhinge having a pivotal axis located substantially along said edge toedge abutment.

11. A container construction comprising a first casing half forming acover and having a peripheral side wall formed with a free edge, asecond casing .half forming a container portion and having a peripheralside wall formed with a free edge, an insert positioned in said cover, abezel ring securing said insert in position, said ring and cover havinga tongue and groove interconnection for retaining the ring in snap-inengagement with the cover, a foldable hinge integrally formed with saidbezel ring and said container portion connecting the cover to thecontainer portion when the bezel ring is in said snap-in engagement,said foldable hinge being located to swing said cover from an openposition to an edge to edge abutment closure, and integrally formedhinge, bezel ring and container portion being formed of elastomericplastic material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,690,403 11/1928 Coryell 132-83 1,806,303 5/1931 McAtree 13283 1,936,465 11/1933Whitlick 13283 2,125,040 7/ 1938 Younghusband 13279 2,542,263 2/1951Schultz 1855 2,811,768 11/1957 Axelson 220-31 X 2,834,992 5 1958 Jupa18-55 2,919,702 l/1960 Pinteau 13283 2,975,426 3/ 1961 Rabb 88--523,106,602 10/ 1963 Hartz 174-60 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,035,074 4/ 3 France.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner.

GREGORY MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner.

2. A CONTAINER COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND CASING HALVES EACH HAVING APERIPHERAL SIDE WALL TERMINATING IN A RIM EDGE FOR BRINGING TOGETHER INA CLOSURE JOINT WHEN THE CONTAINER IS IN CLOSED POSITION, ANINTERMEDIATE ELEMENT SECURED TO THE FIRST CASING HALF AND BEINGCONNECTED TO THE SECOND CASING HALF BY AN INTEGRAL FOLDING HINGS FORMINGMEANS FOR HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTING THE FIRST AND SECOND CASING HALVES,SAID HINGE INCLUDING A BOSS PROJECTING FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE ELEMENT,THE RIM EDGE OF SAID FIRST CASING HALF SIDE WALL BEING RECESSED TO SEATSAID BOSS, SAID HINGE HAVING A RELATIVELY THIN FOLD LINE BETWEEN SAIDBOSS AND THE RIM EDGE OF SAID SECOND CASING HALF POSITIONEDSUBSTANTIALLY BETWEEN SAID PERIPHERAL SIDE WALL RIM EDGES WHEN THECONTAINER IS IN CLOSED POSITION, SAID INTERMEDIATE ELEMENT, SECONDCASING HALF AND INTEGRAL HINGE BEING MOLDED OF AN ELASTOMERIC RESINOUSPLASTIC MATERIAL.